An APPEAL for Educating Young India

Vidya
Poshak, India is a registered Non Government Organization (NGO), serving
education community. The organization was started by a group of compassionate
people in the year 2001 at Dharwad, Karnataka with the aim of supporting
financially challenged bright students. More details at www.vidyaposhak.org

Students
belonging to economically disadvantaged families end up severely limiting their
educational and career horizons due to lack of financial resources, proper
educational guidance, and skills required to succeed.

Only
13% of the eligible youth in the age group of 18-23 are entering into higher
education. The major reason is economic challenge. More than 27.5% of Indian
population is below poverty line, for whom higher education is only a dream in
spite of many having a very high potential. Thousands of students do not go to
next level of literacy, do not get employment in spite of being bright and can
do well with right interventions and support.

Nurturing Merit -Enabling
a Bright Future: Aninitiative
to support the underprivileged bright students to pursue higher levels of
literacy leading to employment under Vidya Poshak’s Nurture Merit program.

Nurture
Merit Program Is
a well-designed, structured and focused program to support bright students
coming from economically challenged families. The support is extended to post
10th grade students to continue their college/higher education till completion
of graduation leading to a meaningful employment/self employment. The program
has the following integrated services.

Financial Assistance: This
will cover college fees,transportation and exam fees. Along with this additional
amount for coaching is given for a few performers. For some extreme need based
cases (10%) additional amount is also given to cover room and boarding.

Books & Library Services: Academic
text books are lent to the students through libraries and book banks located in
rural places. Student will get academic text books on their demand to read for
1-year and then the same books are put in circulation.

Training through Residential BridgeCamps: Arranging various skill and need based training for the
students through residential bridge camps to enhance communication/life skills
and employment opportunities. Along with this to ensure creating good,
sensitive citizens for the society.

Selection
and Identification of students:Vidya Poshak has devised a unique
process to identify deserving students. The selection is meticulous and
detailed. Following are the activities involved

Step1: Through
our 300 strong volunteer network across 12 districts of Karnataka the meritorious
economically challenged students get to know about Nurture Merit Program.

Step2:
The students make the
initial application through a simple online system.

Step3:
Screening by physical visits to student’s dwelling units to
asses poverty and need to ensure only deserving applicant received the benefit.

Step4: Orientation/induction
to all students covering career awareness, social and self-responsibilities,
study skills etc.

Step5: On
approval students are given financial assistance along with an induction
program, which will cover information about their donors and their
responsibilities of being a VP Scholar.

Step6: Depending
on their performance, subject to a minimum academic benchmark students are
extended continued support till they complete graduation.

Reporting
System & Transparency:

The program has a well-structured monitoring and reporting
procedure in place. The progress of each
student is closely monitored throughout the support period.

The student would be
directly connected to his/her sponsorer. The contact details of students along
with their profiles are provided to donors.

The students who
receive the financial support will communicate to donors regularly. This
enables the dual process of instilling a sense of responsibility in students as
well as facilitating direct interaction between them and the donors, thereby
building satisfying and lasting relationships.

All the financial
expenses for every rupee of the donations received from the donor will be
shared. Regular updates of the students would be shared with every individual
donor.

What
we have done till now?

In all 3210 graduates have settled through gain full employment
in their life and brought their families out the clutches of economic
backwardness.

70,000 students and 4,866 teachers and 4,734 employees were trained
through different training program.

More than 20,000 utilize our library services every year.

Overall 230
Million Indian rupees invested in last 12 years for Empowerment of Youth.

Approximate
Nurture Merit Cost for 1 Student

INR

Financial assistance covering college fees & bus pass

6000

Books & Library services

1500

Training (Residential Bridge Camps)

2500

Total Cost Per Student for one year Nurture Merit Support

10000

What
you can do ?

Support one or more student to complete his/her education for a
year or sponsor for entire education of a student/s.

Become a brand ambassador of Vidya Poshak and spread VP mission
among your network.

Be a volunteer and provide your expertise to guide & mentor
students

Note:
The donations are exempt under 80 G of Income Tax Act for Indian
donors and Tax benefit for USA donors (501(c)3) through ASTI. 10% of the donation amount will be utilized
for the Program support expenses.

Support
Vidya Poshak to build a strong educated society and build a strong Nation.